EFF calls for removal of Paul Kruger statue in Tshwane

The EFF want the statue replaced with one of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA  APRIL 11: The Paul Kruger statue is encircled by barbed wire to protect it from being further vandalised on April 11, 2015 in Pretoria, South Africa. EFF members who picketed near the statue burnt the old South African flag and called for the removal of the statue. (Photo by Gallo Images / Foto24 / Theana Breugem)

The Tshwane branch of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has once again called for the statue of Paul Kruger, located on Church Square, to be demolished. The EFF want the statue to be replaced by one of the late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

Three months ago, the party threatened to topple the statue. Councillor Moaferika Mabogoane told Pretoria News this week that erected a statue of Madikizela-Mandela would be a fitting way to honour her legacy.

“It is a shame that these dark figures of our ugly past continue to haunt us as we walk and drive on our roads,” he said.

Mabogoane also said that having thing still named after apartheid leaders such as John Vorster, Hendrik Verwoerd and Paul Kruger was “unpleasant”. According to him, the EFF has a national mandate to campaign for the removal of all apartheid-era symbolism.

Earlier this month, the chairperson of the South African Geographic Names Council, Johnny Mohlala, told Pretoria News that the statue would remain, but that Church Square was in the process of being redeveloped.

The area is being redesigned with paving, seating and trees, and space for other statues and artworks.

The statue, though, has long been a bone of contention for the EFF with the party taking responsibility for defacing it back in 2015. Lime green paint was splashed all over the statue. Days later, the EFF said the statue was causing “frustration”.

An EFF chairperson at the time said:

“When they look at this statue of Paul Kruger, it frustrates them. We are offering to remove the statue because the city doesn’t have the budget.

The EFF threatened that the statue should be removed… “or else”, but nothing has come from the motion since then.

The EFF have been campaigning hard for the legacy of Madikizela-Mandela, with party leader Julius Malema previously calling for Cape Town International Airport to be renamed after the struggle icon.